Best Resources of 2018

Each year on the blog I like to share a roundup of the best resources from the Suzuki Triangle from the year for teachers and parents alike. To read last year’s list click here.

My goal is that this helps you find anything you may have missed over the past year and also gives you an easy way to share resources with families you work with.

I am already excited about new things coming in 2019 and can’t wait for all the good things coming in the new year.

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Research: The Real Life Ups and Downs of Parent-Child Practice

This article https://suzukitriangle.com/the-real-life-ups-and-downs-of-parent-child-practice/ summarizes what I found out when I asked over 100 parents what it was really like to practice with their child each day. The answers were fascinating and I was honored to present some of what I learned at the International Research Symposium on Talent Education in May. 

The biggest takeaway – everyone had a struggle at some point and if you are struggling right now – you are not alone!

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New Parent Workbook:

Positive Practice: 5 Steps to Helping Your Child Develop a Love of Music is a resource for anyone who is new to lessons and is working to set up an effective practice routine and also anyone who feels like their practice has become negative or unproductive. It is meant to be a quick read with actionable steps that help improve the five stages of a practice session. You can find it on Amazon and on Book Depository (for free international Shipping).

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Blog Series: Ages & Stages Series

Early in 2018 I wrote a series of articles about different ages and stages and how they affect music practice. It is a 2019 project of mine to get them all together in one useful resource but here they are for now in an easy to find spot:

The Preschool Years:

Secrets to Successful Practice with Preschoolers

Preschool Practice: Why does Progress Seem So Slow?

10 Effective Ways to Start Practice with a Young Child

The Grade School Years

Practicing Music During the Grade School Years

Will I Always Have To Practice With My Child?

The Middle School & Teen Years

Communicating in the Middle School Years

20 Ways to Support Your Teen in Music

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Article: Strategies for Practice for ADHD

This is an important topic! The typical advice and strategies about how to practice music can be really problematic when ADHD is involved. But, a little knowledge can be a huge help! You can read all about it here:

https://suzukitriangle.com/adhd/  

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The Beyond the Music Lesson Podcast launched this past January.

I co-host the podcast with my friend and colleague Abbey Peterson. I feel so fortunate to have been able to talk so many amazing teachers, performers, authors, & parents during our first year and have loved the feedback from listeners. If you haven’t checked it out here are a few episodes I would recommend first:

For Parents of teens or soon to be teens: Our interview with Colleen Fitzgerald had so many great tips and ideas.

For Parents of Young students just getting started especially, but wonderful for everyone: Our interview with Brecklyn Ferrin of the Plucky Violin Teacher  or Jodie St. Clair of Adventures in Suzuki Parenting

To get a feel for what the life of a professional musician is like:  Our performer spotlight with Jennifer Arnold and our Interview about balancing teaching and performing with Harpist Kela Walton

Thanks for being a part of this community in 2018!

I’d love to hear from you if you have ideas about articles or resources you’d like to see in 2019.